OK, I should forewarn you, I have either read none of these books, or have only read parts of them. But I think they might help you with what you're looking for, even though your request is rather vague and I'd really like some specifics.
First, I know you mentioned recs about Africa, Southeast Asia, and South America (I think?). I've finally managed to think up of a couple:
A Vietcong Memoir by Truong Nhu Tang (http://www.amazon.com/Vietcong-Memoir-Account-Vietnam-Aftermath/dp/0394743091/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1280449136&sr=8-1)
King Leopold's Ghost by Adam Hochschild (http://www.amazon.com/King-Leopolds-Ghost-Heroism-Colonial/dp/0618001905/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1280449210&sr=1-1)
Playing Indian by Phil Deloria (http://www.amazon.com/Playing-Indian-Yale-Historical-Publications/dp/0300080670/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1280449566&sr=1-1) -- yes, this isn't South America, but I'd still rec it because I think there are interesting parallels to be made. It's theory, but it's not as dry as you'd expect.
Also, ancient China, you say? I don't have a podcast, but I do have The Complete History of China by J.A.G. Roberts (http://www.amazon.com/Complete-History-China-J-Roberts/dp/0750931922/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1280449774&sr=1-1). Could be dry, but for research purposes it could be good.
As for stuff I have been reading, well, there's always White Like Me and Lies My Teacher Told Me and Guns, Germs, and Steel, but something tells me they're too basic or otherwise not quite what you're looking for. (Though Guns, Germs, and Steel might be good as a jumping-off point to learn more about Africa, Southeast Asia, South America, and non-Western cultures/civilizations in general, however problematic it may be.) Unless you want me to start reccing stuff about current foreign affairs and the portrayal of Native Americans in white American society and boring environmental policy texts.
I have an idea: Why don't you make a comment in ontd_political's Shenanigans Friday post tomorrow? I know you have it off your watch list, but they could probably help you more than I ever could. Or you could just ask mcollinknight, she'll probably have something too.
I'll definitely be keeping an eye on this post, as I also hope good stuff comes out of it. ^_^;
(BTW, what are the twenty nonfiction books you haven't gotten around to yet, exactly? And do you mind reccing me anything regarding Japanese history, both current and modern? I have A History of Japan by Mason and Caiger (http://www.amazon.com/History-Japan-R-H-Mason/dp/080482097X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1280450312&sr=1-1), but I don't know how good that is.)
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2010-07-30 12:39 am (UTC)First, I know you mentioned recs about Africa, Southeast Asia, and South America (I think?). I've finally managed to think up of a couple:
A Vietcong Memoir by Truong Nhu Tang (http://www.amazon.com/Vietcong-Memoir-Account-Vietnam-Aftermath/dp/0394743091/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1280449136&sr=8-1)
King Leopold's Ghost by Adam Hochschild (http://www.amazon.com/King-Leopolds-Ghost-Heroism-Colonial/dp/0618001905/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1280449210&sr=1-1)
Playing Indian by Phil Deloria (http://www.amazon.com/Playing-Indian-Yale-Historical-Publications/dp/0300080670/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1280449566&sr=1-1) -- yes, this isn't South America, but I'd still rec it because I think there are interesting parallels to be made. It's theory, but it's not as dry as you'd expect.
Also, ancient China, you say? I don't have a podcast, but I do have The Complete History of China by J.A.G. Roberts (http://www.amazon.com/Complete-History-China-J-Roberts/dp/0750931922/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1280449774&sr=1-1). Could be dry, but for research purposes it could be good.
As for stuff I have been reading, well, there's always White Like Me and Lies My Teacher Told Me and Guns, Germs, and Steel, but something tells me they're too basic or otherwise not quite what you're looking for. (Though Guns, Germs, and Steel might be good as a jumping-off point to learn more about Africa, Southeast Asia, South America, and non-Western cultures/civilizations in general, however problematic it may be.) Unless you want me to start reccing stuff about current foreign affairs and the portrayal of Native Americans in white American society and boring environmental policy texts.
I have an idea: Why don't you make a comment in
I'll definitely be keeping an eye on this post, as I also hope good stuff comes out of it. ^_^;
(BTW, what are the twenty nonfiction books you haven't gotten around to yet, exactly? And do you mind reccing me anything regarding Japanese history, both current and modern? I have A History of Japan by Mason and Caiger (http://www.amazon.com/History-Japan-R-H-Mason/dp/080482097X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1280450312&sr=1-1), but I don't know how good that is.)